The Candle Man

The Candle Man (edited)

There once was a world of people who were known by the light they carried. Some were fireworks or candles. Some carried flashlights or fiery torches. One particular young man carried a candle that glowed with a steady light. Year after year this man worked to make his candle the best that it could be. It was soft and subtle, it burned steady and only flickered in the harshest of wind. From time to time others took the time to admire the steady soft light of his candle. But they came and went like the tides of the sea against the sea shore, they always brought a little and took a little.

This man was proud of his candle, even though it didn't light up the night sky with the spectacular shows that won everyone’s attention. It was far from the glamour of the fireworks carried by some. But he didn't need it to be grand or loud. It didn't bang or bluster. It didn’t paint windows in a stunning glare or make anyone gape in awe. A soft, gentle, and kind light was always there. He did not need lots of attention.

He had met many candles and fireworks and everyone in between that were lamps, flashlights, lanterns, torches, and even a few firecrackers. Many were very impressive. But he was a candle and he liked it that way. He was kind and chivalrous to everyone and just as soft and warm as his candle. When he wanted your attention he did not shout, but would whisper, and those that mattered turned their heads and paid attention. He did not need to be a firework, for he did not like the attention. He liked being a candle and how it brought people close to bask in intimacy -- where a subtle whisper was all it took, where the cords of the music were appreciated, and where real moments between two people could be shared. The man with the candle was happy. There were times where it might have suited him to be a firework or even a torch, but he was a candle man and he didn't regret it.

One day along came a girl. She carried a very peculiar firework, and had hair like fire. Occasionally he was able to see her and she would talk to him. Soon they were good friends.

Over time she moved away, but the candle never forgot the firework girl and always wondered what it might be like if she really saw his flame the way he did. Not in the daytime, but at night under the stars where it was warm and fought the shadows, and when the stars weren't clouded by smoke and distractions.

One day, almost a year after she had moved away, he saw her. As he stood upon a hill, gazing at the stars, he saw her. There was no mistaking her special flaming hair.. He waved and called, if only to catch her eye for a second. But there were so many firework men trying to catch her attention all surrounding her. The candle wanted to show her the stars and how they were like fireworks in the sky and candles that never went out. But by the time he got to the bottom of the hill she was even further away surrounded by a new wave of admirers.

The candle whispered to get her attention but she couldn't hear, he flickered his candle but it wasn't comparable to the flashing lights of the fireworks. At one moment, he felt his heart leap as she looked in his direction and smiled. He smiled in return, but it faded as she was carried away by the fireworks surrounding her.

Soon the street by his hill was empty, and there were no more fireworks -- only the candle and it's steady light. The city was full of lights, with everyone trying to get one another’s attention. It was very well lit, and the Candle man didn’t think they needed the simple glow of his candle. The subtle light would get lost in so many others. His quiet voice would go unheard, and he would go unnoticed and unappreciated. The candle dared not enter the city and so decided he would go back home. But first he would go back to his hill for one more glimpse of the stars.

For once in his life he regretted not being a firework. He regretted not being loud and grand. He wished his light were brighter so it could be seen on the hill, and maybe -- just maybe -- he’d be seen by the firework woman with the hair like fire.